Many due to Christian (IX1CKN) who shares the next subject report:
by Christian (IX1CKN)
With Andrea (IW0HK) in Turin for a number of days, it could have been a disgrace to not use Sunday for a POTA activation, recreating the “Multicountry Rove” crew that participated within the Friedrichshafen Honest.
Our chosen vacation spot, as a midway level for each of us, was (once more) Canavese in Piedmont, the place we had recognized Lake Candia (IT-0737), a Natura 2000 reserve we had been eyeing for a while however had by no means activated.
We reached the reserve (exit on the A5 for each of us at San Giorgio Canavese, then in the direction of Caluso, and eventually the Provincial Street 84, which runs proper alongside the lake’s edge). We quickly realized that on Sundays, the world is kind of widespread with locals in search of a cool spot (the lake can be appropriate for swimming). A restaurant and a seaside are the primary belongings you encounter, however we had one thing much less crowded in thoughts.
We stopped by a patch of vegetation, with tall timber that provided much-needed shade on a 30°C Sunday (although with some bugs as a value to pay, however we introduced repellent spray). For the antenna, we used the tried and examined quarter-wave Chinese language whip, which had confirmed essential in our current German activations.
We began the activation on 20 meters, and it was clear from the start that propagation was solely partially favorable (a minor photo voltaic flare in progress, however we’ve misplaced depend at this level).
Many alerts began robust however pale shortly, nearly disappearing after the second cross. Nearly all contacts had been POTA lovers, recognizable by their calls, a testomony to this system’s rising reputation.
We managed two “park to park” contacts: one in Germany and the opposite within the UK. Different stations appeared on the cluster, however we couldn’t hear them. After about half an hour, we reached the milestone of 10 QSOs, making the activation legitimate. The speed indicated a difficult Sunday, because it appeared proper from the beginning: few stations responded, however curiously, those who did got here in with strong alerts.
We attributed this to well-set-up house stations and determined to modify bands. 10 and 12 meters had been closed, however we heard some QSOs on 15 meters and began calling. The response that made the activation worthwhile got here from Marvin Ward “Lee” KI5MM (who, we later found, was transmitting from a spot in Texas referred to as Italy—maybe it was destiny). He gave us a 3/3 report, however we couldn’t have been happier: we had been utilizing a KX-3 at 10 watts with a ground-planted vertical antenna.
One other colleague from Sweden additionally got here in on 15 meters, however nothing else within the subsequent ten minutes. We wrapped up with fourteen contacts and headed again to the preliminary restaurant for a refreshing beer by the lake.
If each activation has a lesson, this one was that whereas propagation could also be poor, taking good care of your antenna setup (the quarter-wave being probably the most pure type) ensures outcomes. There’s already plenty of speak about this antenna, however I’m positive the extra individuals strive it, the extra it is going to be mentioned.
Due to everybody who linked with us, and till subsequent time!
Ciao, 73!
Chris, IX1CKN
